Barnstaple Town 3-3 Launceston: Pre-season friendly

BARNSTAPLE Town’s 3-3 draw at home to Launceston on Tuesday was “a great workout”.

That was the view of manager Barry Yeo, who saw his side pegged back twice by the Macron South West Peninsula League club in their second pre-season game.

Barum went into half-time 2-0 up and seemingly in control but Launceston made a game of things in the second period to earn a share of the spoils.

“Scoring three really good goals from open play was very pleasing,” said Yeo. “It was a great workout and you always get more from these games than training.

“I thought we conceded three poor goals but we put square pegs in round holes to have a look at things.

“The good thing about that is it shows what does and doesn’t work.”

It took Barnstaple 25 minutes to open the deadlock when the excellent Shaun Copp crossed for Kyle Paine to finish well from close range. Copp then got in on the act himself five minutes before the break as he chipped home a second.

Two moments of slight concern for Town were the departures of James Blake (groin) and Aaron Harper-Penman (hip) to injury, although Yeo said they were substituted purely as a precaution.

After Launceston scored twice without reply to haul themselves level – and Jed Harper-Penman had a penalty saved – Scott Sharp finished expertly in the box to make it 3-2. But the visitors levelled it up after 83 minutes.